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Sunday, July 17, 2011

Staff Sgt. Clifford C. Van Pee, 25, died Jan. 17 in Italy as the result of a skull fracture received in a motorcycle crash, according to a wire from the War department to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry (Shorty) Van Pee, route 1.

In V-mail letters written Jan. 14 and 15 to his parents and sister, he said he hoped to come home in two months as his name was in for rotation, and 12 of the boys were leaving for the States that day.

18 Months Overseas

Sgt. Van Pee used a motorcycle often as his work on the civilian and military payrolls necessitated his traveling between various offices and bases.

He celebrated his 25th birthday and his anniversary of 18 months overseas service on the same day, Jan. 13, when his officers gave him a free day and he observed the occasion at a party given by Italian friends.

Before he went into Army service April 17, 1941, Sgt. Van Pee worked on the silver fox farm and in the tavern which his parents operate. He was a graduate of Holy Cross school, Bay Settlement, and East High school.

He went to England in July, 1942, and was sent to North Africa with the first invasion in November, 1942. He was later sent to Sicily and then to Italy for payroll and personnel duties.

Requiem Mass Monday

Survivors in addition to his parents include two sisters, Mrs. Clarence Gerlikowski and Mrs. Harold Spielbauer; his grandmother, Mrs. Emily Van Pee, who celebrates her 80th birthday today, and Miss Shirley Corsten, his fiancee, all of Green Bay.

A requiem mass will be said at 9 o'clock Monday morning in Holy Cross church, Bay Settlement, by the Rev. J. W. De Vries.